PALMER - Life's Memories and More and the Collaborative for Community Health Inc. will hold a community celebration on Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Schoolhouse Commons, 1085 Park St.

This family event will highlight non-profit organizations (elder services, autism awareness and the Livestrong Foundation).

The Collaborative for Community Health, Inc. is dedicated to honoring local artists, vendors, crafters and musicians at this event and will offer free and by donation, Reiki, hand massage and herbal demonstration sessions.

MONSON - The 35th annual Holiday Craft fair, sponsored by the Monson Arts Council, will be held as usual, but without the use of Memorial Hall, which has been closed for safety upgrades.

The council has announced that an alternate venue has been chosen for the crafters normally in Memorial Hall: St. Patrick’s Columbia Hall at 22 Green St. The other three venues used by the fair – the Universalist and Methodist churches and the House of Art - will function as usual. The fair will open on Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and continue on Dec. 1 from noon until 4:30 p.m.

Anyone interested in further information about the craft fair or the Monson Arts Council should visit the council website www.MonsonArtsCouncil.com.

STURBRIDGE - Community Business Associates, a networking and referral group, will feature guest speaker Lisa Barnes, a health coach, at its 7:15-8:30 a.m. meeting on Aug. 23 at the Tavern at Old Sturbridge Village.

Business and professional people interested in southwest Worcester County and vicinity are welcome to attend the free event. Visit www.communitybusinessassociates.org or e-mail info@communitybusinessassociates.org for information.

WARE - Locally owned Real Oldies 1250 – WARE is celebrating its 65th birthday with a listener appreciation day at the Knights of Columbus Pavillion at 126 West Main St. on Sept. 8 from noon to 7 p.m. There will be live music, as well as hamburgers, hot dogs and cake.

PALMER - The compost area off of Old Warren Road will be open on the following dates for area
residents to drop off leaves and brush. Materials must be in brown paper bags.

It will be open on Fridays, from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., on Sept. 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18 and 25, as well as Nov. 1, 8 and 15.

It also will be open on Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Sept. 28 and 29, Oct. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27, and Nov. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17.

PALMER - The Public Works Department will have a bulk waste collection day on Sept. 7, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the public works garage, 1015 Bridge St. For a list of items being accepted and prices, visit the town website
at http://www.townofpalmer.com/ or call the Palmer Public Works Department at (413) 283-2615.

PALMER - The Palmer High School Class of 1964 will celebrate its 50th reunion in 2014.

Classmates that are interested in forming a committee to make this event
happen should email holdenc64@yahoo.com. Suggestions and ideas for the event are welcome.

More information will follow through the newspaper, Facebook, and personal emails
as plans are formulated.

MONSON - The third annual "Run to Rebuild Monson," a 5k race, is being held Sept. 14. All proceeds will benefit the Monson Skate Park and enhancements to Veterans Field.

All pre-registered attendees will receive a special T-shirt. Volunteers are needed.
State Rep. Brian Ashe, D-Hampden, will kick off the event.

The pre-registered cost for runners is $20 and walkers, $15. The cost on the day of registration is $25 for runners and $20 for walkers.

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the run-walk starting at 10 a.m at the Monson High School entrance.

Raffle prizes are also needed for the raffle at the end of the event.

Registration is available on active.com, search "Monson." Also visit the Facebook group, Run to Rebuild Monson 5k, or visit local businesses for registration information.

Email runtorebuildmonson5k@gmail.com for information.
WARE - The community is invited to participate in a blood drive on Sept. 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital on the Baystate Health Blood Donor Mobile.

The bloodmobile will be parked in the hospital'sl north (visitors) parking lot at 85 South St.

All eligible donors will receive an adult day pass to the Big E along with a chance to win a four-pack of Big E tickets.

Blood donations take approximately one hour to complete, including the interview, donation, and refreshments. Donors must be at least 17 years old; weigh at least 110 pounds; have photo idenitifcation; be in good health (no colds, sore throat or antibiotics within 48 hours); and may not have donated blood within the past eight weeks.

For information or to book an appointment, call Deb Oberg at (413) 967-2180 or MaryAnn Burian at (413) 967-2070 or e-mail or email Katie Schebel at katie.schebel@baystatehealth.org.